Some days I find myself wishing that the wind would come and take me to a far-away land, where no one can find me and where I can be contentedly alone. On days like these I wear I Am A Dandelion by CB I Hate Perfume [water perfume, not the perfume absolute]. For then I don’t just imagine myself as a dandelion floating in the gentle breeze, I become the dandelion, I inhabit its body in a way that Thomas Nagel could never conceive of what it is like to be a bat.
Don’t write me off as a batty nut just yet. Think. When was the last time you became something other than you were? When was the last time you allowed yourself to inhabit the body of another, losing yourself in its consciousness and letting go of your own?* I don’t know about you, but I find that perfume has the magic of enabling me to do so…
I am a dandelion
Drifting
Free to fly
Where the wind will take me
Lift my wings
Feel the rush of exhilaration
The world a dizzying blur
As I spin around and around
The damp grass a long way away
The earth but a distant memory
I am a cotton cloud
Sailing in the azure sky
I am free.
Free.
I don’t know what dandelions smell like, having never really seen nor smelt one in real life before (I know, right!), although I vaguely recall reading about them in some of Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series during my childhood days. If anything, I Am A Dandelion comes very close to what my mind’s nose imagined dandelions would smell like. Crisp grass dances with the wet dew on the dandelion’s yellow petals and holds me spellbound. I’m usually not one for ‘quiet’ or ‘introspective’ perfumes, but I Am A Dandelion has me enraptured. So this is what spring smells like, after a light, gentle rain. Interestingly, a violet note surfaces, not unlike the violet in Tindrer – it’s a soft, soothing scent that simultaneously lifts and calms one’s spirits.
And then there’s the powder, oh, that gorgeous dusting! that soft, silky gauze! Once the green floral notes have lived their short lives, the powder takes over for the rest of the perfume’s short lifespan. Yes, just like the dandelion’s life is short but beautiful, I Am A Dandelion‘s longevity is like a fleeting breeze. I suppose that in keeping the perfume faithful to the actual dandelion, perfumer Christopher Brosius must have decided to forgo perfume fixatives. I don’t mind, for it reminds me that to be a dandelion is to live a short, ethereal life of beauty, and to disappear with the wind thereafter.
Giveaway Details
It’s been some time since I’ve hosted a giveaway, and I thought it would be great to share my joy that spring will be coming soon with you, my dear readers. I’ll be giving away samples of CB I Hate Perfume’s I Am A Dandelion, M3 November, and Gingerbread. To be entered in the draw, all you have to do is leave a comment answering either of the following questions: What is your favourite springtime perfume? When was the last time you allowed your imagination to roam freely?
Draw closes Thursday, 20 March 2014, which is the first day of spring in the UK, at 12pm GMT and is open to everyone around the world. The winner will be drawn using Random.org and the results will be posted on this blog.
* It might be instructive to read J.M. Coetzee’s The Lives of Animals if you’re interested in pursuing the philosophical notion of jumping outside our anthropocentric frameworks and inhabiting the perspectives of animals/plants/objects.
~ The Smelly Vagabond
The Smelly Vagabond 
My favorite springtime perfume is probably Philosykos, with Le Temps d’Une Fete, Apres l’Ondee, and Cuir de Nacre coming inclose behind.
Dear Connie,
Lovely choices, and I would definitely wear them, they are some of my favourites as well! You’re in the draw.
My Favourite spring time fragrance as to be Tom Ford Lavender Palm. Screams spring/summer to my nose.
Dear Jason,
I’ve never had a chance to try that, perhaps because I’m not a lavender fan. But perhaps I’ll get to try it sometime in spring. You’re in the draw.
It varies from year to year, but this year I’m looking to La Chasse Aux Papillons by L’artisan. Beautiful and ethereal….
Dear jraine,
Oh yes, it’s ethereal indeed. Have you read the haiku I wrote of La Chasse aux Papillons? 🙂 You’re in the draw.
My favorite springtime perfume is anything Iris. I fantasize and day dream all of the time! I love the beautiful stopper bottle you have displayed in the picture!
Dear rnocean,
I think irises are perfect because they are cool and melancholic – not too cold for winter and yet not joyful enough for summer! You’re in the draw.
My favorite springtime fragrance is currently l’artisan mimosa pour moi! I wore it straight after a life changing event in my life and now every summer! Although you could say sg has summer all year around haha
Dear Yanling,
Indeed it is summer (and worst) all year round in Singapore. Which is why I’m glad that I now have seasons to celebrate! You’re in the draw.
My favourite springtime perfume is Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Aqua Vitae- so simple, so refreshing and invogorating! Thank you for the draw! Jake
Dear Jake,
Yes, it does seem as though perfumes with ‘Aqua’ in their names would suit spring rather well for their ‘freshness’. You’re in the draw.
My favorite springtime scent is Bvlgari Black. I was torn, though, because I often wear a CB accord during the spring: Wild Violet. I love combining it with his Smoky Tobacco.
I allow my imagination to roam freely every single day. Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!
Dear julesinrose,
That’s an interesting choice for a spring fragrance, although I do say, wear whatever you like whenever you like! And that’s a lovely layering suggestion, I really should try layering Christopher Brosius’ perfumes! You’re in the draw.
I think Bvlgari Black is a fairly “light” scent. I get the rubber note (lapsang souchong tea, I believe) as “black” but otherwise I feel it is refreshing. But, springtime where I live is generally chilly. Do try that layering. I love the interplay of sweet violet and smoky tobacco. Mmmm mmm.
Thanks again for the draw and cheers!
A favorite is hard to pin down. If I had to pick one, I would say Malle’s En Passant. I ‘live inside my head’. My imagination roams freely on a daily basis
Dear Kathleen,
Brilliant choice. I can smell the lilacs blooming in the morning dew already. And I totally get what you mean by ‘living inside my head’ – I do that too! You’re in the draw.
i was struck by the simple happiness of i am a dandelion the first time I sniffed it a couple years ago. I’d love to get another whiff. I have been craving Le labo Lys lately, and lots of sandalwood (maybe because it doesnt quite feel like spring here). I have been letting myself imagine running away and starting a hobby farm with my partner (as opposed to medical school, lol). I think that counts as letting my imagination run free? Thank you for the draw!
Dear Lauren,
It is beautiful, isn’t it? Sometimes we’ve got to let our imaginations turn into reality, and just go along with them! You’re in the draw.
my favorite spring perfume is Goutal’s ” Ninfeo Mio”- and yes, I do try to spiritually “float” but I need help-generally baroque music
thanks for celebrating the comming of spring
Dear Irina,
Great choice. Music definitely helps sometimes, but sometimes it’s easier for me to just close my eyes in a quiet room and be transported to another place. You’re in the draw.
Springtime is my time for chypres! I am thinking of overexploitation of Comme des Garcons 2 for a while…and then some Cabochard, or Agent Provocateur, or Silences, or Citizen Queen…
I am daydreaming on a regular basis and usually imagine myself flying swiftly like a sparrow or tern. Did it last like…this morning, when I saw March snow outside and I was overwhelmed by the amount of paper work left to be done till the defence of my Ph. D. thesis…Flew to Irland for an hour or so, took a breath of fresh air and got back. Invigorated.
Thanks for the giveway! Never tried anything from CB I Hate Perfume. Dandelion sounds lovely!
Dear Lyubov,
Fantastic idea – I’ve never considered chypres as something for spring, but now that you mention it… I shall give it a go.
And daydreaming is amazing, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing that little anecdote! 😀 You’re in the draw.
Dearest Vagabond
So very hard to chose one springtime perfume alone.
Let it be Diorissimo today, because that is also the smell of early summer and The Dandy is always looking to the future!
Yours ever
The Perfumed Dandy
Dear Perfumed Dandy,
You may not know this, but I’m currently working on a draft of a post for Diorissimo that includes an epic poem incorporating lore surrounding the lily of the valley! I hate to say this, but you’re psychic! 😀 You’re in the draw.
mine might be Yardley’s English Lavender. I loved that in high school (early 70’s). Now perhaps Apres L’Ondee
Dear Claudia,
Great choices. They are both very cooling and refreshing! You’re in the draw.
My spring perfume has always been the wonderful Chanel 19 makes me fresh and clear I spent my days continuing my dreams of the night which are medication led and i go on amazing flights of fancy which my brain translates in the day some with some without sense. Dandelions – take one puff and blow your worries away said my old gran 🙂
Dear Mags,
Lovely choice. Also, most of my dreamings don’t make sense! And I love what your gran said about blowing your worries away. You’re in the draw.
(do not enter me into the draw)
My Spring comes with the first time after Winter when I feel an urge to put on Chanel No 19. This year it happened today 🙂
Ah, a classic beauty!
My favorite springtime fragrance is Annick Goutal Le Chevrefeuille. It is so green and uplifting. An amazing scent!
Thanks so much for the drawing.
Dear sunnlitt,
I must confess that I haven’t tried that one yet, but green and uplifting sounds lovely! You’re in the draw.
Thank you for this giveaway! Honestly, I really like Cartier’s Baiser Vole, but right now I’m also liking Jo Malone’s new Peony and Blush Suede.
Dear Lean,
Baiser Volé is quite a nice lily fragrance. Do you wear the EDT, the EDP or one of the flankers? You’re in the draw.
I wear the EDP. Like it a lot more than the EDT. Haven’t really tried any of the flankers. Thank you!
My upcoming spring fragrances are Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Flora Rosa and Burberry London. Most of my perfumes are more winter-ish
Dear Amy,
I do like the Aqua Allegoria series. The scents are quite pretty and worth every penny. You’re in the draw.
My spring time favourite is anything with violet in it! To me, violets are the first indication of the arrival of spring 🙂 When I see a bouquet of violets in the flower shops or their tiny flowers poking through along the roadside, I can’t help smiling. As for the imagination, I let it roam freely all the time 😀
Thanks for the draw!
I love violets, too, and I smile whenever I see them as well 🙂 You’re in the draw!
My spring time favorite is probably Chanel’s Allure Homme Sport Extreme. It just smells so clean and fresh! Thanks for this giveaway!
Dear Ricky,
I’m not a fan of Chanel’s Allure Homme and its flankers myself, but to each his own – you might find the CB I Hate Perfume fragrances a stark departure from it, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy them nevertheless. You’re in the draw.
Good morning! I am looking forward to wearing Aftelier Secret Garden this spring! My imagination is usually at it’s best when traveling in new environments. Thank you for the drawing!
Dear Carla,
Good morning to you too! Traveling does inspire the imagination! Have you read some of my Parisian adventures? My imagination certainly had a fancy spin when I was there! You’re in the draw.
lets say Ninfeo Mio 🙂
Dear Edith,
A luminous green citrus! Crisp and mouth-watering! I’m liking your choice a lot. You’re in the draw.
SO many great Spring scents to choose from. Would have to say Imaginary Authors Mosaic is my current favorite. Thanks for the draw!
Dear Tami,
I’ve heard great things about Imaginary Authors, but haven’t ever gotten round to trying the fragrances because they aren’t available here in the UK. I suppose I’ll have to order a sample set soon, or wait till I’m in the US!
I’d love to be entered in the draw! My favourite spring perfumes are la chasse aux papillons and (at the moment) lipstick rose. I’ll answer both questions: going to work by bike gives me an everyday opportunity to let my mind wander wherever it goes. I can dream for almost 2 hours every day 🙂
Dear Natalie,
I think your selections are great. I’m a huge, huge fan of Lipstick Rose, and I wish more men would be willing to embrace the powdery floral genre; after all, that’s how the gentlemen used to wear them in the past!
You’re also absolutely right that traveling time is always a good opportunity to let our minds wander. My mind flies whenever I’m walking, and my body seems to move on auto-pilot, especially when I’m commuting to a place I’m very familiar with. Sometimes when I take the London Underground, I snap out of my daydream only to realise that I’ve missed my stop! You’re in the draw.
My absolut fav for springtime is: Voyage d`Hermes, like a fresh, warm, long flight to the unknown.
My imagination starting to roam, every time i sanding a piece of wood by hand,last time when i restaurated a 50’s style chair. I got the flow, and the flow got me 😀
Thx for the giveaway!
Dear yetaj,
I think it’s superb that your work inspires you to imagine! Now that’s living life! You’re in the draw.
Hi! I will be looking forward to wearing By Kilians Bamboo Harmony. My imagination roams freely everyday :b I am an artist so fresh ideas must always be there 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity.
– Hector
Dear Hector,
I must confess that I’m not a fan of Bamboo Harmony, but well, to each his own! Does perfume inspire you when you work on your art? Perhaps cross-sensorial approach might bring new creative dimensions to your work. You’re in the draw.
FM En Passant is a springtime favorite for me. My imagination tends to freely wander when I wake up around 4AM and can’t fall back asleep. That was this morning for me! Thanks for the draw.
Dear Holly,
I get what you mean about waking up early in the morning and then being unable to fall asleep. Hope you manage to get enough rest. I’ve got a lilac bush near my house and En Passant smells like a photorealistic take on those lilacs! You’re in the draw.
My favourite springtime scent is YSL Vice Versa. Unfortunately dicontinued 😦 Then Serge Lutens Fleur d’Oranger as a good number two:)
Dear Lill,
I’ve never had the chance to try Vice Versa, and I’m sorry to hear that it’s been discontinued. It’s annoying, isn’t it? I love Fleur d’Oranger as well, it’s a stunningly green jasmine/orange blossom fragrance that’s beautifully sexy.
Good questions! I am having a hard time thinking of a perfume that says spring to me. I grew up where spring was all about blooming citrus, but where I live now it is chilly and grey. I often don’t like the fresh fruity florals that I think should be spring-like. I’m wearing Bandit today and it feels appropriate for the weather. So, Bandit for Spring!
Dear Sara,
I think it’s fab that you’re bucking the trend of fresh fruity florals for spring. Bring on the leather! Where I’m from, spring might as well be industrial metal and burnt rubber!
I may be too late, but my favorite springtime fragrance is Paris.
Dear Ellen,
You’re not too late! You’re in the draw. I’m assuming you’re referring to Paris by YSL?
I’m dying to try ‘I am a Dandelion’! I have a fondness for dandelions with their modest tenacity despite being viewed as weeds. My favourite spring perfumes are Ninfeo Mio and Iris de Nuit.